Former Manly’s Pathways Manager Kristie Fulton has blasted five-eighth Josh Schuster over his punch-up with a teammate at Sea Eagles training as more information about the “bit of fun gone wrong” came to light.
The Daily Telegraph reported Manly coach Anthony Seibold was quick to play down the incident, which was reportedly more serious than he or the club were letting on.
“As far as I’m concerned it was a non-event,” Seibold said.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Reckless Waddell BINNED v. Dragons | 00:44
However, a witness of the training scuffle said Schuster’s teammate Josh Aloiai had to step in to break it up and that it was more serious than Seibold is prepared to admit.
Daily Telegraph reporter Phil Rothfield on Monday morning explained how the incident occured.
“They’ve got this game, it’s serious kindergarten stuff, it was a bit of fun that went wrong,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“If you turn up to Manly with a bad haircut you get clipped behind the ears. You sort of get a little slap behind the head, that’s a little tradition they’ve got going there now.
“But Schuster slapped him too hard, Matterson reacted badly and the pair exchanged punches. Josh Aloiai had to step in to break it up.
“It’s just not a good look when your team’s playing bad.”
Fulton, the daughter of Manly Immortal Bob Fulton who ran Manly’s pathways until late last year, took aim at Schuster on her personal Facebook page.
It was then re-posted by the administrator of a Manly fan page, which has 12,100 members.
“The solution is simple, he needs to grow up,” Fulton wrote.
MORE NRL NEWS
TALKING POINTS: Dogs’ bright future amid $500k statement; legend’s dire warning
‘IT GOT UGLY’: Manly gun’s teammate scrap a ‘punches were exchanged’ at training
‘BULLS**T I HIT HIM’: Dogs veteran explodes at ref after controversial penalty
‘NO EXCUSES’: Webster’s classy shoulder charge response after shock Bunker call
“Move to Manly, cut ties with the negative influences in his life, stop hanging with fans, control the diet and have the mindset and attitude he once did circa 2019.
“Too many enablers and excuse makers around him. It’s always everyone else’s fault.”
Ironically Schuster was a favourite of the late Bob Fulton coming up through the juniors.
Schuster has taken a break from the NRL to work on injuries and his general fitness as he bids to be the club’s long-term solution at five-eighth.
Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans opened up on the challenges facing his prospective halves partner in his switch from the second row.
“It’s never a fun time when you’re in and out of first grade through injury,” Cherry-Evans said.
“It’s not going to be easy for him to get back into first grade, because he’s been quite inconsistent and coming in and out.
“I have been playing long enough to see so many people at this club not maximise their opportunity.
“That is rugby league mate – if you’re not willing to work hard enough, if you’re not willing to sacrifice, you just don’t last long. He is at a crossroads early in his career but it can be a real positive.”
